Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-01-13
PAPER MILL ABLAZE.
FACTORY OF RICHMOND PAPER CON-
PAHY DESTROYED By PRE-.
Loss variously Estimated at from $40, 900
TO 10000 Probably Fully
Insured, &c.

At tweuty.seyvn minutes to II O'Clock
last night fre broke out in the mill Of the
Richmond Paper Company, which Is stu.
ated near the river at the south end OF
Eighth street. An alarm was turned in
from Box IA, corner Tenth and Byrd
streets. and Steamers and 4 aud Hose
and Truck Company No. l responded
promptly and begun battle with The
flames. The machinery was in full
blast at The time, and about forty
persons were in the establishment. The
building is a large fiye-storV brick one. and
was well filed with raw and worked mate
rial. The flames spread rapidly. and the
smoke was so sitting that no one could re-
main IN the house. Chief Fuqua was on
hand in a short time After the alarm. and
under his direction his men did effective
work.
SECOND ALARM.
The fire grew rapidly. and il was soon
discovered that the apparatus at hand was
insufficient 10 combat successfully with the
rushing and leaping flames, so a second
alarm was turned In, and Engines . 5, and
were soon added to the force. This left
only one IN reserve i'm the event That
another fire should break out elsewhere.
The engines were stationed where ample
supplies OF water were accessible and
streams shot IN the building from all sides
At this writing-2:30 A. M.-the build.
iBg is eutted and one or more OF the wall,
have fallen In.
DAMAGE AND INSURANCE.
None OF the gentlemen interested in the
works were on The spot, and the real
amount OF damage could not be learned
Il was roughly estimated at from 100000 10
$4,000. The former l. no doubt nearer
correct.
The building is almost, il not quite, an
entire loss. Portions Ofthe walls may pos
,ibly be used in rebuilding. The stock is
totally destroyed. The machinery, it is
thought. is not very much damaged. 4
wall that fell caught portion Of it, and no
doubt damaged It to a considerable extent.
The rest is not burt TO any great degree.
An insurance agent, who witnessed the
fire. stated that the insurance il about
$4,000 or $40, 900. The bulk Of il Is WITH
!. II. Montague n Co. and j. B. Moore.
Mr.. 4. l.. Alfriend has policies to the
amount OF $500.
NARROW ESCAPE.
As stated above the smoke was very
dense. About a dozen Of those who were
in the factory when the fire begun, and
who were not convenient to a place Of
exit, made very narrow escapes. Fortu.
nately, no one has been hurt up TO this
time. The smoke greatly interiered VITA
the fremcn, as they could only stand it for
few minutes without taking fresh air.
When Chief FUqua arrived he went in at
one Of the Windows, but had soon to beat
q hasi} retreat.
THE ORrGN.
There seems some doubt as to how the
ire originated. One OF the managers, who
was ON duty. SAYS it was caused by a small
belt. which runs one Of the elevators, be-.
coming heated by friction. Another party
,1ys lamp, which was used for
lighting the building 80 that per.
sons could see how to pass between the
bales Of rags, fell and set one OF these
bales on fire. The tire had gained cOnSide.
rablc bCldWay before II was discovered.
This building has burned once or twice
before. Woodward's umber-yard j. near
10y. and there are several buildings In close
proximity, none Of which took fire.
STILL WORKING At "a. ".
AT 3 O'Clock this morning the fire was
entirely under control, but the engines
were still at work subduing the flames.